receptor

noun

re·​cep·​tor ri-ˈsep-tər 

: receiver: such as

a

: a cell or group of cells that receives stimuli : sense organ

b

: a chemical group or molecule (such as a protein) on the cell surface or in the cell interior that has an affinity for a specific chemical group, molecule, or virus

Examples of receptor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Environmental signals matter A key finding involved the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, or AhR, a signaling pathway responsive to dietary and environmental molecules. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025

The receptors in your hands respond to myriad stimuli-like pressures—vibrations in sync with 15 different families of neurons. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 16 Dec. 2025

In 2013, the year that Bies had her heart attack, the fda approved the first of a group of medications that act to block a receptor known as SGLT2 in the kidneys. —Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025

When zinc attaches to these receptors, sperm motility increases. —Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing receptor

• alpha-receptor
• beta-receptor
• selective estrogen receptor modulator
• stretch receptor
• T cell receptor

Rhymes for receptor

• acceptor
• preceptor
• adrenoceptor
• photoreceptor
• baroreceptor
• chemoreceptor
• interceptor
• scepter
• sceptre

Kids Definition

receptor

noun

re·​cep·​tor ri-ˈsep-tər 

1

: a cell or group of cells that receives stimuli : sense organ

2

: a molecule (as protein) on the surface or in the inside of a cell that recognizes and joins to specific molecules causing a certain activity within the cell to begin

Medical Definition

receptor

noun

re·​cep·​tor ri-ˈsep-tər 

1

: a cell or group of cells that receives stimuli : sense organ

2

: a chemical group or molecule (as a protein) on the cell surface or in the cell interior that has an affinity for a specific chemical group, molecule, or virus

3

: a cellular entity (as a beta-receptor or alpha-receptor) that is a postulated intermediary between a chemical agent (as a neurohormone) acting on nervous tissue and the physiological or pharmacological response